Brandon Weeden could not run and hide from the opposing pass rush when he was the starting quarterback for the Browns.
On Friday, Weeden could have chosen to run and hide from reporters wanting to ask what went wrong to cause Coach Rob Chudzinski to bench him. Instead, he stood in front of his locker and took the pounding, just as he has on the field in the majority of his starts since the first game of his rookie year in 2012.
Weeden is 5-14 as a starter in the NFL — 5-10 last season and 0-4 this year in an offense that is supposed to be more suited to his style of play. Chudzinski on Monday made the decision to go with Jason Campbell in Kansas City on Sunday after Weeden completed only 17 of 42 passes for 149 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Green Bay last week.
“This is not the situation I want, any competitor wants,” Weeden said. “With that being said, I’m going to support Jason just like he supported me. He’s been outstanding. He’s helped me a lot along the way and that’s my role now and that’s the way I’m going to approach it this week.
“We didn’t win any games. We just didn’t play well. I’ll take full responsibility. I’m never going to be a guy that’s going to point the finger. I had plenty of opportunities to make plays.There are some throws that I’d love to have back. Unfortunately, you don’t get them back. That falls on me. I’ll take 100 percent of the responsibility, and when I get an opportunity, I’m going to do what I can to fix those mistakes.”
Weeden, 30, is confident he will play again and he hopes it is with the Browns. But for that to happen this season, Campbell will have to either be injured or play even worse than Weeden, who heads to the bench as the 30th-ranked quarterback in the league. He is 32nd in completion percentage (52.8 percent), 31st in average gain per attempt (5.92 yards) and 30th in percentage of touchdown passes (195 attempts, five TD passes, 2.6 percent).
Chudzinski on Friday said Weeden has handled the demotion with class, but the NFL does not hand out trophies for good sportsmanship at the end of the season.
“Guys have to produce,” Chudzinski said. “At times, that doesn’t happen the way you would like it to, but they’re still part of the team, they’re still valuable members of the team and you’re going to need them. They need to be ready at all times.
“He realizes and understands that. He’s told me he’s ready to go, and he’s approached it like a pro. We’ve seen how it happens and that things come up in the games. He’s done it one time before, and I expect if he needs to, he can do it again.”
Weeden came off the bench in the first quarter of the game against Buffalo. The Browns trailed, 7-0, and ended up winning, 37-24.
“He’s my friend, no matter if he’s the starter or not the starter,” tight end Jordan Cameron said, “Nothing’s going to change with our relationship. “He’s been good. He’s very positive. He’s been preparing like he’s going to play, which is awesome. You’re always a play away. He’ll be fine.”
Players on both sides of the locker room are still behind Weeden. They believe Campbell will be successful, but unlike critics who want to blame Weeden for everything, players know they missed tackles, missed blocks and dropped passes.
“It means a lot,” Weeden said of the locker room support. “Really, all I care about is what these other 52 guys say and what they think. I know everybody in here has my back. I know when it’s all said and done, we all have each other’s back and that as a player, being part of a team, that’s what you want. That’s the most important thing about being a team, so that means a lot coming from those guys.”
Weeden started the first two games against Miami and Baltimore and lost both. But those were without No. 1 receiver Josh Gordon. Brian Hoyer started against the Vikings, Bengals and Bills. Weeden started against the Lions and Packers.
Weeden has produced two touchdowns and four field goals in the second half of the five games he has played. He has been sacked 21 times.Bowe shut down
Chiefs top wide receiver Dwayne Bowe did not practice Friday because of a groin injury. His condition has worsened throughout the week. He was not on the injury report Wednesday and was limited Thursday. Bowe has 25 catches for 295 yards and two touchdowns.
Chiefs safety Kendrick Lewis is improving. He did not practice Thursday but was limited Friday.Browns injury report
Linebacker Quentin Groves is doubtful with an ankle injury. Billy Winn is questionable with a groin injury. Winn has missed the last four games.